For Families & Friends

Stroke and other vascular disorders

Your body’s network of arteries, veins, and capillaries make up a complex vascular system that moves blood to and from your heart. Whenever one of these blood vessels malfunctions, it is considered a vascular disorder.

The most common vascular disorder is stroke. Also called a brain attack, it occurs when there is an abrupt loss of blood supply to a part of the brain. This is often caused by blockage of an artery. Experiencing a stroke can be dangerous and frightening. The minutes following a stroke are critical, and care should begin immediately with paramedics who work to identify a potential stroke and transport the patient to a qualified stroke center like PeaceHealth Southwest.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is another serious vascular disorder which greatly raises a person's risk for heart attack and stroke. PAD is a sign that blood flow to parts of the body beyond the heart may be blocked, often revealing itself when circulation of blood to the legs is hampered by the buildup of plaque on artery walls. This can take years to develop, so it is more common as people enter their 50s and 60s and the pain is often discounted as normal signs of aging.

Since vascular disorders can be life-threatening, it is important to learn more about stroke and other vascular disorders by clicking the links below.